The state of Victoria has no shortage of tourist points with all kinds of activities. Whether you are looking to do some adventures or spend some time in silence with nature, you have everything within two hours’ drive.
You just need to feel your mood, and you will find a place in this list. If you want to see arts and history, there is Sovereign Hill; if you want to relax at a lakeside, there is Daylesford; and if you are in the mood for surfing, there are several options, such as the Great Ocean Road and Bellarin Peninsula.
Daylesford
Distance from Melbourne: About 110 km
Travel Time: 1.5 hours
If you are looking to connect with nature this weekend, look no further than Daylesford. With a beautiful lake surrounded by greenery, this place has everything to allow you to detoxify your soul. It’s barely a drive of 90 minutes from the northwest of Melbourne, and you can make this journey luxurious and fun with the right coach charter.
This region holds almost eighty percent of all the minerals of the entire country, and you get to enjoy them firsthand. With the fresh foods and drinks this place has to offer, you might not touch processed food every gain. There are places like Cliffy’s Emporium and Lake House that are very popular among the locals for the quality of their fine dining. You will see more focus on vegan foods since they grow and cook their own fresh vegetables. For drinks, you have to try the cider – Daylesford Cider and the whisky of Radio Springs Hotel.
There are some great lake houses that offer both comfort and view. If you still feel the need to relax more, you should know that Daylesford is known as the Spa Capital of Australia for a reason. After all that, there is a multi-award-winning art gallery called Convent Gallery.
The Great Ocean Road
Distance from Melbourne: About 110 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
There is no shortage of beaches in Australia, and you might have one near your hometown. But, considering the sights, lodges, and activities, The Great Ocean Road is not like other beaches. This road starts at Torquay, takes 90 minutes to reach the beach, and ends before Warrnambool. Although it takes about a 1.5-hour drive with a professional coach hire with driver, you would want to take stops due to irresistible sights along the way.
This is a place where you will find the ocean, trees, and wildlife, along with pubs and cool restaurants. You will see native Australian animals along the way and at the beach while enjoying the cool breeze coming from Great Otway National Park. If you have time and don’t mind travelling an extra 80 kilometres, this National Park is definitely worth visiting.
Prepare for surfing with just the right tides in the day, enjoy the amazing sunset at the Twelve Apostles, and, if you plan on staying the night, there are some great lodges where you will also see wildlife in its natural habitat as your neighbours.
Yarra Valley
Distance from Melbourne: About 58 km
Travel Time: 1 hour
If you drive an hour north-east of Melbourne city, you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful rolling hills with horses and cows. Yarra valley is most popular for its cool-climate wines, and its beauty on top made it a popular destination for day trips from Melbourne.
The very first and most loved activity you would want to try is flying in a hot air balloon. Yarra is a beautiful valley, and viewing it from up in the sky is going to make this experience even better for you. Once you are ready to sit and have something delicious, you will find wood-fired pizza here.
There are several wine-tasting cellars that only charge you $5 and even give you a tour of wineries. You should also know that Yarra Valley has one of the country’s best chardonnay and pinot noir.
Dandenong Ranges
Distance from Melbourne: About 50 km
Travel Time: 50 minutes
You will find Dandenong Ranges a perfect place if you are trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. These low mountain ranges are at a drive of barely one hour east of Melbourne. Its tall forests and well-maintained gardens make it a great place for peaceful walks.
The first most recommended place is National Rhododendron Gardens, where you will find several types of beautiful plants such as cherries, camellias, and azaleas. It’s a popular tourist destination even for romantic getaways.
Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria, Australia – Photo by ThinkGeoEnergy
Peninsula Hot Springs
Distance from Melbourne: About 100 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
You will find Peninsula Hot Springs at a drive of about 30 km from Mornington Peninsula. If you are into hot springs, this is not a place you would want to miss. It’s not just about going to a spa; this place provides you a complete experience where you feel all toxins mentally and physically getting out of your body.
There are over 50 types of baths, including Turkish baths, hilltop pools, underground springs, and cave pools. All these services are provided in a manner that they are friendly for singles, couples, and families. After you have enjoyed the springs and baths, there are cafes with delicious and perfectly healthy meals ready for you.
Mornington Peninsula
Distance from Melbourne: About 75 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Mornington Peninsula is a one-in-all package offering everything one can expect from a day trip. With wineries, gardens, beaches, and spas, you can experience nature with luxury at one stop. A coach hire will drive you about an hour south of the city, and you will start to see the wonders this place has to offer.
You get the opportunity to swim with dolphins and seals, after which you can go to Port Phillip Bay to see the most breathtaking adventure garden. There are several restaurants and bars for when you are hungry and spas for when you are ready to relax.
Sovereign Hill
Distance from Melbourne: About 120 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you are an art and history lover, this place would be your heaven. It’s an open-air museum on a 25-hectare site, comprising over 60 historically recreated buildings. A party of 22 Cornish miners found the world’s largest gold nugget here in 1851, which caused the richest and greatest alluvial gold rush. This place depicts the first ten years of life after that discovery.
You will find staff costumed as related historical characters at every point to take photos with you and answer your questions. There are also two gold mines with several displays that you can visit alone or with a guide.
The Hanging Rock
Distance from Melbourne: About 70 km
Travel Time: 1 hour
The Macedon Ranges Shire is popular for its native forests, and a distinctive geological formation called Hanging Rock, which used to be a volcano. You will also find artisan food and wine industries in the Macedon Ranges, but your main stop should be the Hanging Rock.
It’s a beautiful spot for a hike and picnic where you get to see an iconic geological wonder and connect with nature. You will also see beautiful views and several animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies.
Castlemaine
Distance from Melbourne: About 125 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Castlemaine is a small city popular for being home to musicians, writers, and artists. If you love art, you are definitely going to love this place. However, art is not the only thing this place has to offer. It’s a tourist attraction because you get to see museums, botanical gardens, and historical places while enjoying local festivals, dining, and shopping. Castlemaine State Festival is held every year from March 24 to April 9.
The top tourist attraction, however, is a woollen mill from 1875, which can be considered a creative hub of this small city. You will see restored mill houses, food points, and vintage-styled shopping stalls.
Bellarine Peninsula
Distance from Melbourne: About 90 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you are in the mood to visit a beach where you will get to see wildlife, drink fine wine, and experience luxury at the same time, Bellarine Peninsula should be one of your top picks for a day trip.
The first thing you would want to do here is to visit a Jirranhlinga. It’s a sanctuary where you will find native animals such as kangaroos, dingoes, and reptiles. Next, you can go surfing or swimming in the ocean. If you are not in that mood, there is an adventure park with a water slide.
Since you would go there to enjoy tourist attractions, the best way would be on a two-wheeler. Get a bicycle and cycle around the coast on Bellarine Rail Trail. Not only will it be fun and relaxing, but you will also see many of the region’s attractions on the way.
There are also several vineyards and wineries for trips. If you are in the mood for drinks, it won’t be difficult to find pubs, bistros, tasting rooms, and whisky bars ready to welcome you.
Are you looking for low cost bus hire with a driver in Melbourne?
Then look no further, coachhire.com.au has it covered.
We are Melbourne’s premier choice for all your group transport requirements regarding all Melbourne bus hire services.